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3/31/2013

HAPPY EASTER --- and thank you for joining me this afternoon. Today is the day I do the Random Generator thing-y for the blogaversary candy. So I'll save this post in Draft form, run the R.G., and be back to finish posting. I had a new follower join yesterday, so a Big Welcome and I appreciate you taking the time to look in at this blog. I added Nikki's name to the spreadsheet so my R.G. numbers will reflect all the followers that Blogger shows.

Now I don't know how to put the results picture here, so I just tried to do a copy & paste...here is the number that showed up. In my spreadsheet database this number corresponds to Mrs. A of http://itsanalienlife.blogspot.com/. Mrs. A has 48 hrs from 3-31, 2pm, to contact me with mailing information so that I can get the package of goodies on it's way to her. There has been a picture of what is in the candy on the sidebar. If there should be something you see that you already have, don't want a duplicate, please advise, and I'll see if I can substitute something else instead! Also I just may toss in something extra that is not pictured! Congratulations, and thank you to all my followers who have visited & commented. If I don't hear from Mrs. A within the time frame, then I will do the R.G. bit once again, and pick another winner.I am going to try to get back on track with my blog visiting. We've had some family things going on - in the health areas - but I think (hope!) that things are beginning to turn the corner. So in the meantime, I hope you all are having a Blessed Easter, and a wonderful day. Whatever your religious beliefs, it is a day we've been given, so let's be thankful for it and rejoice in being able to enjoy it. Hope to be back with a later post this afternoon - or I may do some craft cleaning....it's my day to do with it as I will! Hugs & Blessings.

3/30/2013

Good afternoon. Just collected our mail and received a beautiful card from my stamp buddy, Miss Gloria. Gloria has been dealing with health issues since before Christmas, so we've not had a chance to get together & work with our Silhouette Cameos that we bought about the same time.(last year). The plan was that we'd learn how to use the machine together; alas, it hasn't happened. BUT Gloria has worked with her Cameo when she has felt up to it. She made a lovely Easter card that I wanted to share with you - so here goes:

Double click to enlarge

Double click to enlarge the inside view

The basket motif was cut with a Silhouette design, and then the prettiest little stickers applied. It's just lovely. The interior has a pop-up/cut-out bunny, with some butterfly & flower cutouts. I was so thrilled to open the mail and see this from my friend - for several reasons. One - it is so pretty & delightful to receive it; two - that she had a day where she felt well enough to craft!!! I'm so blessed to have such talented friends. So I thought I'd share it with my blog friends. Hope that your day was good too, and you had something wonderful to surprise or please you. Hugs.

3/29/2013

*I had a question about how to enter for the blog candy drawing. All that is necessary is to be listed as a follower of my blog, so that I can enter your name in my spreadsheet where I have numbers by each follower. When I run the random generator, I use #1 - to the last number that Blogger shows as my following. Then I check that number against the name in the follower spreadsheet listing. I will post that number on the 31st and ask the person to contact me via this blog with the mailing info. I have comment moderation turned on, so I will not publish personal info. The winner will have 48 hrs to contact me with the mailing information, and if not, I will run the Random Generator again!

Good afternoon, and Happy Good Friday. I have been reflecting today on the true meaning of this special day in the religious world. What a priceless gift Humanity was given, if only we choose to accept it.

Now for the card share today. This is my last Easter card (I think!) and is for Sweetie. The last time I tried a fold card, I got some suggestions for making a 'closure', so I tried one of them! Thanks to all of you who leave me ideas about how to do something, when I try new techniques. I appreciate it!!!

3/28/2013

Good afternoon Friends. Only 3 more days til Blogcandy draw! YAY! In the meantime, here's some more Easter cards (I only have one more to finish!...this one today and the one in progress will be hand delivered).

Can't tell you the 'how-to supplies', but I know she has a basket die, a ribbon punch - and I think an egg die was involved, along with a pretty EF. Candee is a whiz at combining papers & layout designs. Thanks Candee, we surely enjoyed receiving this.

3/27/2013

Good afternoon, and it's a beautiful Wednesday in our Upstate area...still on the cold side. But nothing so extreme as those temps I'm hearing about in the UK & other areas. I mailed out Easter cards yesterday, but still have a couple to finish for hand delivery. I took a little break from the Easter motifs to start on my summer birthday cards (plus I have a very important one for DH to think about & get made! July is getting nearer). This image was an attempt at watercolor, with Derwent Inktense colored pencils- not watercolor pencils though. I laid down a bit of color, then used one of those brushes with water in the barrel to spread the color around. After I finished it, looked at it for a while, I airbrushed a little (or a lot!) of Copic BG0000 for the background. Watercolor paper just sucks in the alcohol ink of a copic. I have a lot more practice to do on this one! I've been trying to watercolor with Distress Ink, as I see so many lovely cards with this technique, but I just am not having great success with that. So here's one of the birthday cards that needs to be ready for June - I decided to go ahead & use the image.

- stamp is Prickly Pear

- sentiment diecut with Elizabeth craft die

- cardbase & trims were textured Bazzill

- S/binders deckled oval for cardfront opening, classic oval for the mat (which I chose because of the colors of the flowers in the watercan) The cardbase is a sort of gray-blue that I thought looked nice with the gray watercan.

- border trim was a snippet from the mat & diecuts, just enough to cut a small straight piece, which I trimmed into a scallop using shaped scissors.

So thanks for stopping in to visit, and have a terrific afternoon. If your area is one that has been hit with this intense cold, I hope you can stay inside out of the weather, cozy & warm...crafting or doing something that makes you happy. Hugs.

3/26/2013

Hello again. We received a lovely Easter card from my niece, Julie. Thought I'd share it with you, as Julie doesn't have a blog. She lives in Fla., and I sure wish she'd lived a lot closer, because we would have such fun making cards together. (My daughter has no interest in rubber stamping or cardmaking...she just likes getting the cards I make! <g>). I think I have mentioned that Julie deals with Multiple Sclerosis, but she doesn't let it slow her down one bit. She crafts at many levels, runs marathons for MS fund raising, exercises, and stays very busy. We always enjoy receiving a handmade card from Julie. Here goes:

Julie's Easter Card (double click to enlarge)

Can't tell you any of the specs, but the papers & ribbons are so cute. The edge of the cardfront has been 'shaped', not sure if with a punch or scissors - but pretty effect. We loved it, and thanks Julie!
As always, thanks for joining me for a little visit, and have a wonderful afternoon.

Good morning, and our area is having a sunny but rather cold day. Our high today is supposed to be 49F, which to some of you, may seem like a high temp. Quite cold for the SC Upstate at this time of year. Hopefully this is winter's last little hurrah before a glorious Spring. We did have a few flakes of snow fall yesterday morning. Had we not been outside speaking with a contractor about rescreening on our back porch, we would have missed it. As it was, I thought it was just 'fluff' being blown by the wind, or some of the white Bradford Pear blooms from the trees around our community. We left for our workout, which we totally missed last week, and when we came back outside, the wind was even stronger. Brrrr...
I hope you got a chance to look in on the Rudolph Day entries, but if not yet, take a little time to surf over. There have been some lovely cards submitted so far, and the challenge is open until the end of the month.

3/24/2013

Hello, and thanks for joining me. Today is the big day over at Sandra's Stamping for Pleasure. The Challenge opens on the 25th of each month & runs until the end of the month. There's some goodies for prizes, so if you can, hop on over to look at the projects that are entered, and perhaps even jump right on in yourself. There's a Rules tab at the top of the page to make it easy to enter. Here goes with my entry for this month:

- Stampabilities Nutcracker stamp (got on sale just before this past Christmas). Used Copic Xpress paper & copic markers, with a Spica pen or two for a touch of glitz. Also added a touch of Glossy Accents on the blue of the hat, belt, cuff & the gem on his staff. Was about to get real carried away with the glossy stuff

- diecut image with a S/Binder deckled rectangle.
- diecut mat with a S/B classic rectangle, using gold mirror paper. As I usually do, I had a smaller rectangle inside the outer rectangle, to save layers, plus added bonus of a {sigh} snippet for later projects
- black lattice is a new S/Binder (think it is the Basic Lattice-S5-151), covering plain red cardstock.
- mat cut from blue mirror cardstock just to fit the previous layer, and center portion removed with a rectangle die.
- All layers adhered to textured red Bazzill cardbase.
- sentiment was from a clear stamp set, Cloud 9, diecut with S/Binder ribbon banners, embossed with versamark, then heat embossed with Ranger Queen's Gold.

This card is a bit larger than I usually make, (primarily due to the fact I wanted to use that lattice die, and it is oversize. Then I felt that layer needed the blue to perk up the color scheme...). This one will be hand delivered I think. So off we go to join all the talented cardmakers at Rudolph Day. Wheeee for the majic carpet ride across the big Pond! Won't you come along? As always, have a wonderful day, and Blessings. Come again when you have time.

Good afternoon, and a very warm welcome to some new followers. I'm very grateful you decided to spend a little time with me, and will do my very best to visit at your blogs too! Sandra at Stamping for Pleasure very kindly hosts a Rudolph Day on the 25th of each month to enable some of us to get a jumpstart on creating some Christmas cards. I hope you'll give a look-in, & perhaps decide to join in. It's always fun, and there's some awesome cards to drool over.

Now this is my very first center step card, and I'm not too pleased with it. I certainly hope I can improve on my next one. Keeping a promise to myself, that I'd post even the 'not-so-great' cards, here goes:

- Stamp is Great Impressions, on Copic Xpress paper, colored with Copics, some Spica pens for glitter. Diecut with S/B Classic squares. Mat was just cut to fit the diecut.
- Papers are from a 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 pack of Christmas themed papers that was purchased at the local Hobby Lobby. (Think it's called Old World Christmas, and there is a 12x12 in the same theme).
- die is by the Stamp Doctor (see picture)
- sentiment stamped with SU Regal Red, with a stamp from stash. This card will fold flat for mailing.

This is the die I used to cut the card. I know it should be easy to do, but I felt very clumsy with it. The diecut shows where to make the folds...but I think it's something I shall just have to practice with decorating with the papers, or else use a very pretty & decorative base cardstock and not bother with the decorations! Oh well, I'm learning....

Thanks for joining me. I have another card ready to enter in Rudolph's Challenge, and as I'm not real happy with this one I think it shall just stay here on the blog as one of my experiments! Have a great afternoon. Hugs.

3/23/2013

Good early morning (it's midnight in my area!). Since I can stay up as late as I wish tonight, thought I'd post a little bit about our experience last night for those who have never had this sleep apnea test. DH had done the gig about 25 years ago when we lived in So. Fla, and really did not want to go through it again. However, our doctor felt he should, and explained to him, there are new methods of handling sleep apnea now. In case you didn't know this, the condition can be quite serious. Aside from just snoring, the person actually can stop breathing, and the brain is not getting oxygen. (maybe that's what is wrong with me! :-) Seriously, I probably do have it - but I was more concerned that DH get checked. A lot of night time heart attacks occur because of this - or so we're told - and the person doesn't wake.

Good Morning Friends. This will be another scheduled post. DH & I are having a night away on Thursday night. Not what you'd think....we are both doing a sleep study test to see if we have sleep apnea. I'm a night owl, so if the staff don't allow me to have my Kindle until I get sleepy, I am going to be one very grouchy patient...fidgeting & wriggling all around. I just can't go to sleep early (unless I nap, then wake up) except when I'm sick. DH, on the other hand, is an early to bed, early to rise type of guy. We'll see how we do. Anywhoo....here's a card - one more for the Easter pile, for which I must get inserts ready & post. The lacey egg is a DieVersions die. It's very pretty, and also extremely difficult to work with. I've called one vendor that handles the die (and where I think I bought it), and sent an email to the DieVersion people. So far no response...I've 2 of these dies, and both of 'em are not being fun to work with. And yes, I've youtubed, and I 'think' I'm following what is shown. I spent a lot of time picking pieces out, worrying about tearing, and if I didn't use the foam mat that was with the die (and it doesn't cut well when you use the foam, as the youtubes show), then it is next to impossible to get out of the die, as there are no 'pokey holes' to get it to release. Just as bad using the wax paper technique too! If I don't get some good response back from DieVersions, I won't be buying any more of these Whisper Dies, no matter HOW pretty they are! Too much of a pain to use. OK...I always say, if I like something, I'll tell you...and same if I have a negative response. Oh yes, one other thing: a reader asked why I am making the pictures smaller on the post. I had read where blogger allows just so much free space, and if you make your pictures in the large size - which I did at first, it consumes more space, and you then have to pay to keep your blog. I'm not ready to venture there at the moment, so I've been making the pictures small!

- DieVersion Spring Egg, Whispers - plain old brown lightweight c/s

- pearlized pink cardstock

- Darice EF ( think it was a Darice)

- EK Success punch of SU sentiment stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa

Have a lovely Friday, and hope you have a wonderful weekend planned. As always, thanks for stopping & sharing some of your time with me today. Hugs.

3/21/2013

Good morning and hope you're having a lovely day so far. Welcome to another new follower, Ms. Mustavcoffee. (if you would, please, add your 'name' or blog contact on a comment, so I can add you to my database of followers, especially for any giveaway goodies. I moderate comments - so only "I" will see it. Tried to link back on your Mustavcoffee, and couldn't find you. And thanks for joining as a new follower!)

This will be another scheduled post, so I hope Mr. Blogger is being cooperative with me today. Here's another Easter card, and I'll be adding a St. Pat's card that I received from my niece, Julie, who also does cards. So - on to the cards for today!

- image is a Hoppie from Nellie Snellen (and so easy to color with Copics) and I thought Miz Hoppie was so adorable
- diecut with S/binders Floral Ovals (one of my fav dies)
- background paper was from a snippet embossed with an egg motif Darice Easter Eggs EF
- grass was also snippet paper using an MS grass punch. I doubled the layers for some fullness.

Since this is a scheduled post, I'm not sure about linking to Miss Pixie at the Playground, so I won't throw a bolt in the machinery just cuz I got some snippets here..., but ya'll, check out those Playground cuties. Bound to be something fun going on over the pond...but I bet it's Brrrrr....cold! Could be a cup ov sumfing hot goin' round to warm up yer 'ands. (I've been watching too much Brit tv, haven't I?! We've been following Lark Rise to Candleford, and I just finished an oldie dvd set, Fall of Eagles...great watching.)

Thanks for joining me today, and here's the sweet St. Patrick's Day card we received from our niece, Julie. Hope you enjoy seeing it as much as we did. In the meantime, thanks for spending your time with me today, and many hugs. Ya'll come back again!

3/20/2013

Hi there, and thanks for stopping in for a little visit. This card is definitely much prettier IRL; my photography skills just don't do it justice! The die is from Cheery Lynn (and cut quite well...I have some that do not!). The motif was cut from lightweight black c/stock, had to poke out a few bits. Mounted on a silvery blue glitter paper & rounded the corners. Cardbase is also black, embossed with an embossing folder; then used Viva Decor Inca Cobalt Blue to wipe some color over the black embossing. The picture does not show up well, but it's quite pretty I think. The sentiment was diecut from black c/s using an Elizabeth Craft die. DH has a birthday next month, and I think this will be for him. Blue is his favorite color! Ya'll have a grand day, and come back again soon. Hugs

3/19/2013

Hello again. Recently I had Mr Liebster passed along to me by the lovely Kay of http://505whimsygirl.blogspot.com/. I am a bit slow in getting this posted, but tonight I had a few moments (and was in the right mood too!) to sit down and try to get this great award acknowledged. It really made me feel so good to have Kay think I was deserving of it! So a big Thank you to Miss Kay, and I urge you to visit her when you can, and see some unbelieveable art work!

The
Liebster Award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion.
Once you've been nominated you award it to five blogs that you like that have
fewer than 200 followers. This encourages new visitors to visit these
blogs.

The Rules
for Acceptance are: thank the person who gave you the award and link back to
their blog. Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers who
you appreciate that have fewer than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their
blog letting them know that you have given them this AWESOME
award!

Congratulations ladies! Thank you for inspiring me in my
artful journey. I will be popping over to these blogs to let these crafty & talented folks know that I've nominated them for the Liebster, and I hope you'll pay them a visit too. And don't forget to check out Kay at 505Whimsygirl also.

Goodnight. Sweet dreams.

Good afternoon & sorry I've been out of touch for a few days. But I'm here today to share an all white card on a beautifully sunny Tuesday afternoon. Our weekend was lovely weather, but Monday was gloomy, misting rain, got much cooler once again. We had a medical appointment that consumed a large part of the day. Once we got back home (after missing our workout), all we felt like doing, was heading for the recliners. And it was a good day to doze while it rained outside. So here's the card today:

I still have to add the insert, and then get the card in the mail. Hopefully, I can get back to regular posting. I have a few more cards ready, that I will schedule. In the meantime, thanks for checking in to visit, and have a wonderful, happy day! Hugs

3/12/2013

Good Morning Fellow Bloggers, and thanks for joining me. I'm posting today using Firefox, while still trying to isolate the 'odd links' problem that showed up in my post of yesterday. I worked last evening on another Easter card; DH had a suggestion for how I should do this one, so the design is to his credit. Any problems with execution...well, I have to claim credit for that!! He had seen the small flower images I had scattered on the desk, remembered a 'cut-out' card we saw at February's stamp show; said "Why don't you do a card like that?". Easy for him to say. I didn't have the right size punches to cut the 'windows', the Spellbinder circle dies didn't fit exactly right ...so I had to improvise. Here it is:

3/11/2013

Hello again, and I hope your Monday was very good. We went to our fitness workout, and I felt very pleased with my efforts today. Some days I don't! The reason for this post, is that this morning when the post was first published, there were some strange hyperlinks appearing that I was not adding! Certain words would be shown as a link, and a popup ad would appear. I emailed the very knowledgeable Miss Pixie (otherwise known as Di - who is so generous with her time & knowledge) to ask her assistance. She emailed back some suggestions, (make sure my virus software is uptodate - it was, perhaps malicious software has gotten into my pc...). In the meantime I deleted the first publication, made a scheduled post, hoping it would fix the problem. It didn't! I manually updated the virus stuff - which runs automatically when the pc boots up each time. Then I ran a full manual scan, which is normally done every Saturday. I also have a Malware program, which I made sure was updated, then ran that to check if we have any 'bugs'. As I've been trying to visit some of my followers' blogs, I'm noticing the same phenomenon at other sites. So don't know what has happened with blogger. I tried logging on with Google Chrome, saw the same screwy links. Logged on with Firefox, did NOT see the weirdness. This just started this morning...didn't see this happening in my last post. I apologize for the annoyance if my readers are seeing these links with a popup ad. (BTW, Diane said she didn't see them...but I'm seeing this at other blogs, so perhaps some of you are seeing the same thing here). If anybody knows how to fix it, I'm open to suggestions. To the best of my knowledge, I haven't changed anything recently on this pc, changed anything on the blog (other than to ad the blog candy picture on the sidebar)...so I'm clueless! Thanks for looking in. Have a great evening.

Good Morning, fellow bloggers. A big warm welcome to some new followers. I appreciate your joining me here, and I hope you'll enjoy your visits with me. Once again, I've been behind in my posting & blog visits, so please forgive me. I'll try to catchup. Received a sweet email from our fellow Blogger, Bernie,, which I was going post here. I surfed over to Bernie's blog and saw that she'd posted an update. How wonderful it was to hear from her, and find out how things are going during this rough patch of life that she's dealing with just now. I've been trying to bring some order in my stamping area chaos once again. We got another table for that area, so I finally was able to get my Silhouette along with my Toshiba laptop set up in 'their spot'. Hopefully since they don't have to be dragged from here to there, I ?may? use them more frequently. Also brought a sewing machine downstairs, so perhaps I can do a little stitching on cards. I've seen that done, admire it...never tried it. OK..enough with the jibber jabber. Here's the card for today.

A lot of this card is truly snippets. The image was colored last year (I think), and I found a plastic box of things I'd colored, didn't use, put away. (Sure makes my Bunny cards for this year much easier!)

- HMouse stamp colored with copics

- punched out with a Stampin Up scallop punch.

- SU large circle punch for the mat, and this green was a piece of wallpaper from a book of samples (that should qualify as snippets, yes?)

- scant yellow mat, diecut by S/Binder pinking circle, is also from that sample book (snippet!); the sentiment was punched from the same 2 sample pieces using SU oval punches.

- pink check design paper was diecut with a Marianne Creatables Frames & Leaves, and was also a snippet that turned up in a stack of paper I was moving. I've had this die for a few years, and this is the first time I've used it. Had to do a bit of poking to get the bits released from the cutout spots.

- pale green cardbase is lightweight Recollection paper, and I embossed with a Crafts Too EF...Floral something or other.

If you are interested, I can get the specific names of the stamp & EF folder. I embossed 2 pieces with one pass through the Big Shot, as this is fairly lightweight paper, and the folder embosses deeply.

Now I have been informed that the snippet Playground is open, for week 63. I've taken a peek at some gorgeous projects; why not take a few moments, come along, and see what these little pixies have created. I guarantee there's some stuff to knock your sox off, and you're in for a treat. As always, thanks for joining me, and I will do my best to try to get back here tomorrow. In the meantime, God Bless and have a wonderful Monday. Hugs﻿

3/07/2013

Hello & I have a one year Blogaversary today. I actually started trying to set up this blog on March 7, 2012, but my first 'actual post' was March 10. Boy, what a learning curve I was on, but it's been fun. I've met so many talented, creative - generous & sharing cardmakers. It's been such a joy. (Sometimes frustrating too, when I'd mess up & not know how to fix it). I was blessed very early on 'to meet' Miss Diane of Pixie's Playground; she was/still is, so helpful with explaining how to do things, fix things, make things look better! (lotta things there!) I know that she has helped other bloggers too. So a big THANK YOU♥ goes out to Diane for all her many suggestions and help to me over this past year. I've met a lot of folks in the Snippet Playground (see above link), who also helped, encouraged, and were just plain friendly. Who knew blogging could be this much fun??? Anyway, I've got some candy to give away to celebrate the occasion. Now I've been trying to think of how is best to do this. I've just mailed a box out for the occasion of my 100th follower - took me a while to get the right size box. I didn't want to pay for paper stuffing so that the contents were not sliding around, and the first box we thought would work, was waaay too large. If you've mailed anything recently, you'll know about the postage issues! But at least the goodies are on the way to their new home, & I hope they will be enjoyed. So I've decided that I'll run Random Generator on March 31 (God willing...) and let's see what happens. I say God Willing 'cause who knows what will be going on then. So here's what will be in the next box, and remember, I might throw in a surprise or two. I did the other one!

One Year Blog Candy

You can't really see it too well in the picture, but I included some pretty napkins at the bottom. There will be a couple of Memory Box dies, some embossing folders, perhaps a stamp or two. I hope it will be items that someone will enjoy if they win. These are still in the original packing as you can see, and the box they currently are in, will probably be the mailer. Unless I can find a better one!!!

So please bear with me on the days when I'm not posting daily, just got things going on (and remember I am a Lazybug too!). We've started going to a fitness center, not doing anything real strenuous...walking a mile, using some machines. But when I get home, I be one tired puppy. I know it's good for me, and we're trying to go 3 times a week. So once again, thanks for joining me, thanks if you've become a follower, and I love reading all the comments. Good or bad. I feel I can learn from all, and I always appreciate the suggestions you leave. I'll put the candy picture on the side bar too so you keep it in mind! Good night. Sweet dreams.

Good evening friends, and thanks for joining me. It has been a lazy, lazy day. Ran some errands about noon, came home and went down to visit my stamp group. I didn't take any projects to work on, as I just was not in the mood. It was one of 'those' days. You may not know what I'm talking about...but it was just ONE OF THOSE DAYS! Not in the mood to really do anything...and I didn't!

Yesterday we received this lovely card from my blog buddy Candee, who was one of those folks who encouraged me to start a blog. Candee makes the most interesting projects even amidst a multiple room house remodel. Her blog is a fun place & worth your time to take a peek if you can. Without further yada, yada, here's the card:

We've never met face-to-face, but hopefully we will soon. Life just seems to keep getting in the way. She lives about 3-4 hours north of our area, in the OTHER Carolina! She is a master with using punches and always has the neatest layouts on her cards. The insert has a sweet Irish saying on it as well. Hope you will enjoy it as much as DH & I did. As always, thanks for your visit, and I'll be back again with a blog candy post. Hugs.

3/04/2013

Hello again. Since I've been MIA the past few days, I thought I'd post another St. Pat's card today. I've had some cards on the desk, just needed to put finishing touches on. Life got a little busy, what with DH having some gastric tests done to see if we can find out the reason for this recurring vomiting problem he has been having. He's a diabetic, Type II, and the gastrologist thinks it may be something to do with how long he is taking to digest his food. So with one thing or another (and add my laziness into the pot) I didn't get around to posting for a few days. I was working on some Easter images in the evening and hope to get some Easter cards posted soon. In the meantime...
- Our Daily Bread Designs image clear Clover colored with copics(I am using it for shamrocks; never having seen a real shamrock, this will work for ME)

- Diecut with S/B Deckled Ovals, sponged with DI Antique Linen

- Gold Glitter mat diecut with S/B Classic Scalloped Ovals

- background paper created with Impression Obsession Cover A Card stamp Crumpled Lace stamped with Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink Citrus; then overstamped with I.O. /CAC Shamrocks in Fluid Chalk Warm Green. Once I looked at this design, I randomly hit the Shamrocks CAC surface with Delicata Gold ink and stamped across the design again.

- Embossed this paper with a Shamrocks EF I recently ordered from Cropstop. I think this was a Darice folder, but don't have it handy at the moment. If you're interested, leave a comment, & I'll double check on the manufacturer.

- Butterflies are punched out of a snippet with the new SU small butterfly punch, with some Glossy Accents for shine. Added some tiny pink pearls for the body of the b/fly.

- Sentiment was computer generated with a Celtic font from Dafonts.com, then diecut with S/Binder Grommets Tag, sponged with some green DI. (don't know the exact color, as the sponge was handy, had some residual green, & I sponged it on!); then added some green rhinestones.

I cut out some of the stamp motif from an incomplete stamping effort, then added some glossy accents to each motif, adhered back to the main image. I thought it made for a little more interest. I like this card, probably because I played around with creating the design paper background. I really like these CAC stamps - which I use with I.O. Megamount. You could ink this largish stamp & brayer the paper placed on top of inked stamp. I've tried this but I don't do it very well. The megamount works better for me. I've also learned that the Fluid Chalk inks stay wet longer than some of the other inks I have, and give me a better result. I start with a light color, then do successive patterns with darker inks. I was really pleased to find the shamrock motifs in the CAC stamp and the folder. Hope you like this one. See you later. Have a wonderful afternoon and thanks for visiting.

Happy Monday Morning and I hope your day has gotten off to a good start. We have some sunshine, a bit on the coolish side however. We'll be heading out to the fitness center in a few moments. I had a couple more St. Pat's images I wanted to finish up, so I finally got around to putting on cards. This card is one that is a total experimental effort. I had some pretty paper from a couple years ago, and I bought it because of this Celtic Knot design. I decided I would try cutting out a specific portion of the design paper, using Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel on it, to see how it would look. I used Versa mark to cover the cut out design, dumped some UTEE on it, and did this process 3 times. Of course the paper curled, and when I straightened it out, these lovely cracks appeared. (There is a technique doing this, and then putting in the freezer for a couple minutes, then crackling it. I didn't even have to refrigerate this one). I debated about using some DI in vintage photo for more distressing, then decided against it.

- Mats are snippets from a pile of St. Patrick themed paper bought in past
years. I tried to select some that had colors of the UTEE square

- MS corner punch on the darker mat

- Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die

- S/Binder Ribbon Tags Trio diecut the computer generated sentiment

Since most of this card is a snippet experiment, I think I shall wander over to the Playground and see what everyone is up to. What is the Playground, you might be asking? Well, it's a fun place with a lot of lovely talented cardmakers & crafters, and the only ticket you need to get admitted is to make your project using a lot of snippets. What is a snippet? In the USA, we call 'em scraps or leftovers...these ladies have a much nicer term...snippets! Don't you just love the term? Sounds so much nicer & more elegant than SCRAPS! So come along, and let's pop over to Pixie's (the head Playground lady who is very sweet ...smart too...she helps me with all the blog mixups!) and see what these girls are up to. They are sure to make us welcome, if we promise to play nicely with everyone. I may not even send this card out, but I'm sure to get some good advice from these talented crafters..so off we go!